Patent GB-674978-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical machines
Inventor: THOMAS ARTHUR
IPC: A01C23/04
Filed: 1949-08-10
Abstract: 674,978. Statistical apparatus. POWERSSAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. Aug. 8, 1950 [Aug. 10. 1949L No. 20855/49. Class 106 (i). An apparatus for comparing two numbers comprises a pair of digit registering elements 1 and 2 for each denomination associated with a T- shaped member 3 provided with a slot 4 to slide on and turn about a rod 5 fixed to the machine frame. The arms of the T-shaped member 3 are spring-urged against stops 13 on the digit registering elements as shown. Entry of digits to be compared raises the arms of the member 3 by engagement with pins 13 which together with members 1 and 2 are raised by the entry of the digits into the two sides of the machine. If the numbers are equal the T-shaped member is raised vertically, but if one element of the pair is registering a number of greater value the T- shaped member will be rocked to one side or other of the central position, as shown in Fig. 4, in accordance with the sign of the difference between the two digits registered. The lower end of the T-shaped member 3 has a pin 14 engaging a slot 15 in a laterally-sliding plate 16. The plates, 16 are supported in combs 17 secured to spacer bars 9. Each slide 16 has a depending member 18 slidable in a comb 19. Two pins 20, 21 project from the slide 16 and engage slots 22, 23 in connector links 24, 25 pivoted at 26 and 27, on toothed plates 28, 29. The plates 28, 29 are freely mounted on spindles 30, 31 supported in the end plates 10, 11, and are normally retained against the action of springs 34 by releasemember 33. Each link has a connector plate 35, 37 secured to one side thereof and a pin 36, 38 projecting from its other side, such that the connector plates associated with the digit registering elements 1, 2 of one denomination are arranged to engage the pins on the links of the next higher denomination. At one end of the machine there is provided a fixed plate 41, Fig. 6, in a position. corresponding to that occupied by the slide 16 disposed in a column behind it. Two angle-pieces 42, 43 fixed to the top of the plate 41 act as guides for two further links 44, 45, which support abutments 73, 74, Fig. 6. If the elements 1 and 2 have been moved by equal distances throughout the denominations, i.e. the numbers entered into the two sides of the machine are the same, none of the slides 16 will have moved laterally and the abutments 73, 74 will both be free to rise when the release member is raised, and when the arm 59 is moved to the right, Fig. 2, the pivot 64 moves with it and the lower end of the actuator member 62 rests idly on the ends of the plunger 72. If, however, a slide 16 has been moved, the appropriate abutment 73 or 74 will remain in the path of its associated actuator 62, causing it to rock counter-clockwise about its pivot and the lower end to engage the plunger 72 and actuate a Bowden wire associated therewith. Operation.-Let it be assumed that the number 666,499 is to be compared with 666,500. The numbers are set into the machine, causing displacement of elements 1 and 2, as described. There is no lateral movement of the slides associated with the hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands, and thousands, columns, since these are equal. In the hundreds column the digit five registered by element 2 is greater than the digit 4 registered by element 1 so that the associated slide is moved to the right, Fig. 3. In the tens and units columns the reverse action takes place, displacing the slides to the left in each case. When the release member is raised the slide associated with the hundreds column is the laterally-moved slide nearest to the fixed plate 41 and controls the movement of the abutments with the result that abutment 73 is raised and 74 remains in the path of its actuator member 62 so that the plungers 72 are operated. Thus the comparing operation is effected in two stages and the greater whole number is always determined by lateral movement of the slide associated with the highest denominational order in which a difference exists, the selection being unaffected by lateral movement of any slide 16 associated with a column of a lower denominational order. Specification 597,492 is referred to.